Icehouse Theatre opens the fall season with “The Father,” a tragic-comic mystery through the eyes of a man experiencing dementia, from Sept. 11-26. 410 E. Race, Visalia. 559 734-3900 or www.visaliaicehouse.com
The Barn Theater presents “The Philadelphia Story,” the play version of the well-known movie starring Katharine Hepburn, from Sept. 11-20. 42 S. Plano, Porterville. 559 310-7046 or www.portervillebarntheater.com
Encore Theatre is staging “Little Shop of Horrors,” a devilish sci-fi horror comedy about a carnivorous plant named Audrey, from Sept. 11-26. 324 South N St., Tulare. 559 686-1300 or www.encoretulare.org
College of the Sequoias presents “Rosencrantz and Gildenstern Are Dead,” a tragi-comedy about two minor characters in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” runs Oct. 8-17 in the COS Theatre, 915 S. Mooney, Visalia. Facebook: College of the Sequoias Performing Arts
Art shows
Arts Visalia exhibits “The Family Community and Art Exhibit” in September. See which entries won awards. Open Wednesdays-Saturdays, 12-5:30 p.m. 214 E. Oak, 559 739-0905 or www.artsvisalia.org
Arts Consortium displays “Splendora—Born from Beneath,” acrylics and mixed media by Dalila Nehulosa exploring symbolism, folklore and mythology. 340 E. Oak, Visalia. Open Tuesdays-Fridays 10-3. www.artsconsortium.org
College of the Sequoias Art Gallery is exhibiting alumni Erika Navarrete’s oil and lithograph show “Reverence for the Ordinary,” examining subtle connections with thoughts and surroundings, through Sept. 25. Open Tuesdays 10-2, Wednesdays 11-2 and Thursdays 11-4. 915 S. Mooney, Room 214 (downstairs in the Kaweah Building at the corner of Meadow Lane and Mooney.) Free 20-minute parking in the circle drive. Facebook: College of the Sequoias Art Gallery
Brandon-Mitchell Gallery is showing “Where Stories Grow,” art by local illustrator Merry Miller-Gass in her just-published children’s books, during September and October. Open during the First Friday Art Walks in Downtown Visalia, after service at 11:30 a.m. on Sundays and by appointment. 117 S. Locust, Visalia. 559 625-2441 or www.brandonmitchellgallery.com
Tulare County Museum at Mooney Grove is showing “Central Valley around the World,” cultural dance costumes from 30 countries through the end of September. Open Thursdays-Mondays 10-4. 27000 Mooney Blvd., Visalia. www.visitvisalia.org/calendar
The Oval Gallery is featuring “Sanctuary of Facades” exploring resilience by artist and sculpture Nikki de Leon and Catholicism by painter and printmaker Idaly Rodriguez. 808 N. Court. Open Thursdays and Fridays from 5-9 p.m. and by appointment if requested through Instagram, www.instagram.com/theovalgallery
Tulare City Historical Museum has on display “Transform Art” by watercolorist Valerie Estes from Sept. 17-Oct. 10. Open Thursdays-Saturdays 10-4. 444 W. Tulare in Tulare. 559 686-2074 or www.tularehistoricalmuseum.org
CACHE (Center for Art, Culture & History Exeter) is showing “Moments” by local artist Miguel Pujol, acrylic paintings that show quiet moments and shared experiences. Open July 11-Sept. 27, Wednesdays-Fridays 10-4 (closed 12-12:30) and Fridays and Saturdays 12-4. 125 South B. 559 592-5900 or www.cach-exeter.org
CACHE (Center for Art, Culture & History Exeter) opens landscapes by Justin McKinzie on Oct 3. Runs through Dec. 27. Wednesdays-Fridays 10-4 (closed 12-12:30) and Fridays and Saturdays 12-4. 125 South B. 559 592-5900 or www.cach-exeter.org
Lindsay Arts presents “Guilt and Forgiveness” by Julio Oseguera, who explores identity, memory and the emotional complexities of the human experience in figurative oil paintings. Open Fridays 12-4 p.m. Sept. 19-Nov. 7. 165 N. Gale Hill. www.lindsayarts.com
The Pierpoint Bar & Grill & Gallery is showing “Heaven in the Sierras” by local photographer Trish Logan. Open 10-6 daily. 801 Highway 190, Springville. 559 483-9110 or liz.pierpointgallery@gmail.com
Ongoing events
National Library Card Sign-up Month is held each September during the beginning of school. Tulare County has 17 library locations. www.tulare.countylibrary.org
Vossler Farms Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze open daily Sept. 26-Nov. 1, weekdays 10-9, Saturdays and Sundays 10-10. On weekends, includes food vendors, train and pony rides. 26773 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia. www.visitvisalia.com/calendar
Events by date
Sept. 16-20
- Tulare County Fair opens Wednesday at 10 a.m. with a Downtown Tulare parade. Events include amusement rides, demo derby, livestock auction, quilts for patriots, vendors at the Tulare County Fairgrounds, 620 South K, Tulare. See schedule at tcfair.org
Thursday, Sept. 17
- Free entry into Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks in honor of Constitution Day. visitvisalia.com/calendar
- Opening reception for watercolorist Valerie Estes’ “Transform Art” show from 5-7 p.m. at the Tulare City Historical Museum, 444. W. Tulare in Tulare. tularehistoricalmuseum.org
Saturday, Sept. 19
- Bites, Brews and Arts Festival at the Visalia Fox Theatre features local musicians on stage from 10-4 and artists and vendors outside on Encina Street. 300 W. Main. 559 625-1369 or foxvisalia.org
- Opening reception for “Guilt and Forgiveness” by Julio Oseguera, who explores identity, memory and the emotional complexities of the human experience in figurative oil paintings. Lindsay Arts, 165 N. Gale Hill. lindsayarts.com
Sunday, Sept. 20
- Launch of the Olive You Movement, supporting families raising children with disabilities, from 4-7 p.m. at the Woodlands, 4211 W. Goshen. Local vendors, resource booths, inclusive play areas, live music. visitvisalia.com/calendar or instagram.com/oliveyoumovement
Friday, Sept 25
- “The Wild Robot” (2024) will be shown at dusk as part of the free Movies in the Park series hosted by the City of Visalia at Stonebrook Park, 1200 Hemlock Ave. A science fiction movie about a robot shipwrecked on an island. Bring a picnic, blankets and lawn chairs. Food vendors on site. visitvisalia.org/calendar
- The Visalia Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual “Octoberfest” from 5-9 p.m. at Mooney Grove Park, 27000 Mooney Blvd., Visalia. Sample from over 40 food, beer and wine vendors. Live music. www.visitvisalia.org/calendar
Saturday, Sept. 26
- Mexican comedian Óscar Burgos, who has built a reputation for clean comedy, performs at 8 p.m. at the Visalia Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main. 559 625-1369 or foxvisalia.org
- 4th Annual melodrama fundraiser for CACHE (Center for Art, Culture & History Exeter) at 5 p.m. features slapstick humor and tingling suspense. Outdoor dinner, drinks and auction. 125 South B, Exeter. 559 592-5900 or cach-exeter.org
Sunday, Sept. 27
- 4th Annual Witches Picnic from 10-4 at Mooney Grove, 27000 Mooney Blvd., Visalia. Magical witches’ market, treats, elixirs, live entertainment, make ‘n’ take brooms and wands. visitvisalia.com/calendar
Thursday, Oct. 1
- The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight at 8 p.m. is a fusion of classical music and metal in a candlelight setting. Visalia Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main. 559 625-1369 or foxvisalia.org
- Downtown Visalia First Friday Art Walk from 5-8 p.m. Pick up a map at the Arts Consortium, 340 E. Oak, Arts Visalia, 214 E. Oak, or the Brandon-Mitchell Gallery, 117 S. Locust, and visit venues with art, music and snacks. artsconsortium.org
Friday, Oct. 2
- The Doo Wop Project features classic doo wop sounds plus more contemporary songs given a doo wop vibe. Featuring stars from Broadway shows like “Jersey Boys,” “Motown,” “Beautiful” and “Hairspray.” Visalia Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main. 559 625-1369 or foxvisalia.org
Saturday, Oct. 3
- Cat Haven Twilight Tour and fund raiser at 5 p.m. Walk the trail to see tigers, lions and jaguars when the cats are the most active. Buffet dinner and auction. 16+ only. 38257 E. Kings Canyon Rod, Dunlap. cathaven.com
- 1st Saturday in Three Rivers features open studios, food and art shows from 11-5. Pick up a map and schedule at Kaweah Arts, 41841 Sierra Dr. (Highway 198) or the Three Rivers Historical Museum, 42268 Sierra Dr. 559 799-1473 or 1stsaturdaytr.com
- Los Yonics, Los Caminautes, Los Freddy’s y Amigos, a night of Spanish-language musical classics, at 7 p.m. at the Visalia Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main. 59 625-1369 or foxvisalia.org
Monday, Oct. 5
- Miss Exeter Coronation dinner at 6 p.m. at the Exeter Veterans’ Memorial building, 324 N. Kaweah. With fashion show. business.visaliachamber.org/events
Sunday, Oct. 11
- Matt Stone as Elvis, recognized by Graceland, performs at 7 p.m. at the Visalia Fox Theatre, 300 W. Main. 59 625-1369 or foxvisalia.org